Car-coupling



(No Model.) J. RMSTRONG.

` GOUPLING. No'. 535,881. Patented Mar. 19, 1895.

NiTnD STATES PATENT Outrun.

JAMES P. ARMSTRONG, OF BEAUMONT', TEXAS.

cAR-coUPtlNG.

SPECIFICATION forming part `of Letters Patent No. 535,881 dated March19, 1895. Application filed January l2, 1895. Serial No. 534,680- (Nomodel.)

To all whom t may concer-n.-

Be it known that I, JAMES P. ARMSTRONG, a citizen of the United States,residing at Beaumont, iu the county of Jefferson and State of Texas,have invented a new and useful Oar- Ooupling, of which Vthe following isa specilication.

The invention relates to improvements in car couplings.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction ofautomatic car couplings, and to provide a simple and inexpensive one ofthe Janney type, capable of readily coupling on short curves, andadapted to be either coupled or uncoupled without going between cars.

A further object of the invention is to pro- Vide means whereby theparts may be readily iet for automatic coupling, or to prevent couplng.'

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination andarrangementof parts, hereinafter fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a car coupling,constructed in accordance with this invention, the parts being set forautomatic coupling. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view, the partsbeing in the position they occupy when coupled. Fig. 3 is a verticallongitudinal sectional View, the parts being arranged as shown in Fig.2. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the catch. Fig. 5 is atransverse sectional view illustrating the manner of supporting thevertically movings.

able locking bar or pin for automatic coupling.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts inail thefigures of the draw- 1 designates a draw-head having a knuckle pivotedto it by a knuckle pin 3, the knuckle 2 being provided with an arm 4arranged= when the knuckle is closed, to enter a recess 5 of one side ofthe draw-head, and to be engaged by a pivoted catch 6, located in therecess. The knuckle is adapted to engage one of a corresponding carcoupling, and is provided with the usual slot Land perforation 8, toenable the draw-head to be coupled with drawheads having the ordinarypin and link.

The catch 6 is pivoted adjacent to its inner end by a vertical pin 9,and is provided `with a shoulder 10, for engaging the arm 4 of theknuckle, and it is provided at its inner end with a projecting heel 1l,arranged to be engagedby the arm 4, whereby the shoulder 10 is swungoutward into engagement with the arm of the knuckle. The catch is lockedin engagement with the arm of the knuckle by a vertically movable pin,or b ar 12, provided at its bottom with a recess formingl a reducedportion, and providing a shoulder 13 adapted to rest upon the catch,whereby the parts are held in position for automatic coupling. When theheel of the catchis engaged bythe arm 4, and the shoulder or engagingportion of the catch is swung forward or outward, the vertically movablebar is tripped and drops behind the catch and locks it in engagementwith the arm of the knuckle. When it is desired to uncouple thedraw-head, the vertically movable bar or pin 12 is raised, until itsenlarged upper portion above said. shoulder, which is formed by therecess, is carried above the catch, and the latter is free to swingrearward to release the arm of the knuckle.

The operation of uncoupling is performed by means of a lever 15,fulcrumed near its lower end on the upper terminal of the verticallymovable bar 12, and provided at that end with a foot-shaped head 16,adapted to engage the upper face of the draw-head, to permit the bar tobe readily raised, without slackening the speed of the train, ifnecessary. The lever may be arranged in a vertical position to preventthe vertically movable bar from falling, and by these means thedraw-head may be maintained uncoupled.

Any suitable means may be employed for connecting the lever with the topand sides of a car, or for enabling it to be operated from the platformsof coaches, or the like.

It will be seen that the car coupling is exceedingly simple andinexpensive in construction, that it is capable of coupling on shortcurves, and of being connected with cars having either a twin jaw carcoupling, or the ordinary pin andlink car coupling.

It will also be apparent that the car coupling is automatic in itsoperation, that it does not necessitate a person going between cars forthe purpose of uncoupling, and that by means f it cars may be u ncupledwhen in motion, without slackening the speed of a train, and withoutlessenin g the strain on the draw-head. Any carin a train may beuncoupled while the train is running at full speed..

Other objects and advantages will be readily understood and appreciatedby those skilled in the art to which the invention ap- 1o pertains, andI desire it to be understood that changes in the form, proportion, andthe minor details of construction may be resorted to without departingfrom the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of thisinvention.

What I claim isl. In a car coupling` the combination of a draw-head, aknuckle pivoted thereto and provided with an arm, a horizontallyswinging 2O catch pivotally mounted in the drawfhead and provided at one,end with aheel and having at its other end a shoulder for engaging thearm of the knuckle, and a vertically movable bar mounted on thedraw-head and pro- 2 5 vided with a shoulder and arranged in rear of thecatch and adapted to be supported by ythe same, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a car coupling, the combination of a draw-head, a knuckle pivotedthereto and provided With an arm, a horizontally swinging catch mountedin the draw-head and arranged to engage the arm for locking the knuckle,a vertically movable pin located in rear of the catch and adapted to besupported by the same and capable of locking the catch in engagementwith the arm of the knuckle, said bar being extended above the drawhead,and a lever pivotaily connected to said bar and provided with a roundedhead arranged to engage the draw-head, whereby the bar is raised out ofengagement with the catch, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES P. ARMSTRONG.

Witnesses:

BANDRIDGE A. BIBB, HA;J G. LAND.

